zoom_in Click to enlarge

British Rail Class 60

▲ ▼

description British Rail Class 60 Overview

The British Rail Class 60 is a six-axle, diesel-electric locomotive built by Brush Traction between 1989 and 1993 for heavy freight work. Its 3,100 hp engine, high tractive effort, and Co-Co wheel arrangement suited bulk commodities such as petroleum, steel, aggregates, and coal. The class was introduced near the end of the British Rail era and later passed to private freight operators, with some locomotives subsequently stored, rebuilt, or returned to service.

help British Rail Class 60 FAQ

What freight was the British Rail Class 60 designed to haul?

The Class 60 was built for heavy trainload freight such as petroleum, steel, aggregates, and coal. Its high tractive effort was more important than passenger comfort or very high speed.

What engine and wheel arrangement does the Class 60 use?

It uses a Mirrlees Blackstone 8MB275T diesel engine rated at 3,100 hp. The six-axle Co-Co arrangement gives the locomotive strong adhesion for heavy freight trains.

When was the Class 60 built, and who manufactured it?

Brush Traction built 100 Class 60 locomotives between 1989 and 1993. The fleet was numbered mainly from 60001 through 60100, with later changes to individual numbers.

Why was the Class 60 not mainly used for passenger trains?

The Class 60 was optimized for freight and had a maximum speed of 60 mph rather than a fast passenger specification. It was also listed without train-heating equipment, which limited its usefulness on conventional passenger services.

swap_horiz

Looking for British Rail Class 60 alternatives? Compare top competitors ranked & scored

arrow_forward